By ETHAN FAHEYStaff WriterThe tickets are punched for this year’s Super Bowl.The match between the National Football League’s (NFL) Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks is one of the most anticipated games in a decade.“This year’s game will definitely be more exciting than the last couple because the two teams are so evenly matched,” says Jake McGowan, 23, of Niagara Falls.Super Bowl XLVIII will be played on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.The first to clinch a berth to the big game was Denver, winning the American Football Conference (AFC) championship game over the New England Patriots 26-16. After the game, Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning said, “It’s hard to get to the Super Bowl. It’s hard to win, but I’m telling you, it’s hard to get there.”The same night, their opponent made their way into Sunday’s showdown by edging out the San Francisco 49ers 23-17 in the National Football Conference (NFC) championship game. It came down to the last play.During a post-game interview, a fired up Richard Sherman, the Seahawks’ cornerback, had a controversial outburst calling out San Francisco’s wide receiver Michael Crabtree and calling himself the best cornerback in the game. The talk has made fans wonder if Sherman can walk the walk.Sunday will mark the Broncos’ seventh Super Bowl appearance, the first with their new sharpshooting quarterback Manning.While Denver’s defence certainly isn’t child’s play, their offence has been leading and carrying the team this year. Wide receivers Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Wes Welker helped Manning accomplish one of his most successful offensive seasons ever.“I’m rooting for Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos,” says Steven Dewitt, 20, of Niagara Falls. “Look at the year he had. He broke almost every record a quarterback can break, and if he wins this Super Bowl it will cement his legacy as one of the greatest to ever play.”Broncos’ kicker Matt Prater made 25 field goals out of 26 attempts during the regular season.For Seattle, this will be the team’s second Super Bowl attempt. They’re equipped with young quarterback Russell Wilson, who’s trying to get his name into the books early.“Wilson, the quarterback for Seattle — it’s only his second year in the NFL. I’d like to see him come home with the win. Manning has had his time and won enough,” says McGowan.The Seahawks also hope to unleash the “Beast Mode” Marshawn Lynch on the Denver defence. The running back ran 1,257 yards in the regular season, scoring 12 touchdowns.“It’s a classic battle of who’s team will break first,” says Dewitt. “It’s the No. 1 offence in the league against the No. 1 defence in the league.”Scheduled to perform during this year’s halftime show are Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.The two teams in Sunday’s game both finished atop their division in the regular season. Dewitt says he isn’t surprised to see these teams meet in the final.Now’s your chance to hop on a bandwagon and pick a team — so are you a Bronco or a Seahawk?Super Bowl XLVIII is only the second time in the past 20 seasons the No. 1 seeds from each conference will meet in the Super Bowl.The big game will be televised on CTV Canada with the pregame show starting at 2 p.m. and the game starting at 6:30 p.m.